By TT CAN!

The Prime Minister’s Draft Constitution has clearly established HIS agenda, namely, to acquire more personal power as Executive President. But is this the time for citizens to hand over power like a blank cheque ? Does his agenda really address the real concerns of our society? In other words, what’s in it fir us citizens ? We are watching our unique and cherished Trinbago way of life perishing daily before our eyes. Surely, OUR urgent agenda must be to focus on rebuilding our society - peacefully, equitably and sustainably. 

But can we the people find a way to speak clearly and with one voice? Up to now, racial politics organized by self-perpetuating leaders has managed to keep all ‘tribes’ divided, voiceless and impotent, reduced to steupsing in a corner or burning tyres in the road. 

So here’s a plan to change all that. Let all Civil Society Organizations commit themselves to collaborating in restoring sanity and hope to Trinidad and Tobago. The term ‘Civil Society’ includes the private sector, professional organizations, trade and employers associations, banks and credit unions, environmental, spiritual, cultural, sport, youth, women and differently-abled advocacy groups etc. It includes all political parties but excludes all Members of Parliament. 

The process of collaboration is surprisingly simple. Let us come together for ONE DAY under a sea of tents in Woodford Square - not as a rabble but as groups of serious planners drawn from many organizations, with experience and vision covering every aspect of our national concerns. Utilizing TT CAN!’s well-established, credible and non-partisan methodology, separate tables would each be dedicated to a single broad issue and the discussion would be guided only by a Facilitator and Rapporteur (no speeches). The group representatives at each topic table would address their issue under only three headings:

• Where are we now ?

• Where would we like to be?

• What Governance Arrangements, at local and central levels, will be required to help us reach those goals ? 

All views would be recorded, since all citizens’ views are valid. No consensus would be required but TT CAN!’s experience has been that consensus  always emerges since emphasis is placed on attentive listening and mutual respect.  A secretariat would ensure that reports of each topic group are made available on the same day and a comprehensive Report would be compiled shortly after. 

However, articulating THE CITIZENS AGENDA to politicians unaccustomed to listening will be a meaningless exercise unless we citizens also establish an on-going mechanism for monitoring its execution. Now is the time for us to make ‘our representatives’ understand that listening to the people is their most sacred responsibility.

TT CAN! accordingly proposes that each topic table in this Citizens’ Agenda Consultation should conclude its discussions by nominating a representative to serve on a PERMANENT CIVIL SOCIETY COUNCIL. The initial mandate of the Council would be twofold:

• To press for Constitutional change to provide broad representation of Civil Society Organizations in the Senate, appointed and recallable via the Civil Society Council. The objective would be to inject non-partisan expertise into national debates on critical issues like justice and rehabilitation, management of the economy, education, health, the environment, childcare etc. and maintain citizen oversight of Parliament and Government institutions;

• To develop Regional Civil Society Action Groups.  The objective would be to inject civil society priorities, experience and management skills into the planning and cost/effective delivery of government services directly to communities and regions;

• To organize Resumed Sessions as necessary to consider the inter-group implications of the reports as a basis for concerted action.

• To develop a draft constitution and small secretariat structure in support of these mandates and to enable the Council to maintain meaningful liaison with Civil Society Organizations, whether these are individually represented on the Council or not.

Articulating The Citizens Agenda within a framework of genuine, participatory democracy is an urgent responsibility for all civil society organizations that wish to transform Trinidad and Tobago into a peaceful, equitable and sustainable society.

In this regard we welcome the calls from the Congress of the People for building a Grand Consensus based on moving away from the politics of division and the manipulation of power. Similarly, many dedicated NGOs are already hard at work trying to prepare a unified Civil Society presentation to the Summit of the Americas in April. Other important sectors of civil society, notably the financial sector, major professional groups and religious organizations are already playing crucial roles separately. Working together,  we all could create a tsunami of positive change for Trinidad and Tobago.

TT CAN! welcomes your suggestions and material support for planning and implementing a National Consultation to produce The Citizens’ Agenda before April this year.  Please contact us:sheilahsolomon@gmail.com keys@carib-link.net  (William Latchman) or TT CAN!, PO Box #1568, Wrightson Road, PoS